"So your house burned down and now you need somewhere to stay?" Layla asked, her expression a mix of odd suspicion and confusion.
Amira nodded innocently.
"Riiight… and who's this handsome man? One of your other… servants?" Her eyes slid over Lucian, lingering shamelessly as she licked her lips.
Amira kicked Layla in the shin and cleared her throat. "Ehm! His name is Lucian, and he was kind enough to escort me here."
They sat around a dimly lit table inside Layla's house. The table was rough-hewn, the chairs little more than barrels.
Layla snorted. "Kind enough? You can't be serious."
Amiras eye twitched as she forced a smile.
Lucian could very obviously read the room. "I'll give you two some time to talk. Layla, it was nice meeting you. Amira, if you need me, I'll be down in the village." He excused himself and stepped outside. Before he'd even taken two steps away from the door, their bickering carried through the walls.
"Does he not know what you are? Who you are? What are you gonna do when he finds out? I can tell he's pretty strong, what if he tries to kill you!" Layla pressed.
"Shhh! What if he hears us?!" Amira hissed, her voice carrying a sharpness Lucian had never heard before.
Lucian, who could care less about gossip, walked down the hill into the village.
"Hey, stranger!" a familiar voice called.
He turned and saw the cow-girl from earlier.
"Did you find who you were looking for?" she asked as she walked up, basket full of berries in hand.
"Yes. She was… rather grouchy," Lucian said flatly.
The woman laughed. "Yeah, that's our Layla for you! She's kind-hearted though, once you get to know her. Helps run the orphanage, always giving a hand to the little ones."
'There's even an orphanage here?' Lucian thought.
"How's all this possible?" he asked aloud.
She tilted her head. "What do you mean?"
"The village. How come it's so peaceful here?"
"Oh! That's what you meant." She brightened. "Well, there are a few different theories. Everyone agrees that since No Man's Land is neutral territory, and this village sits perfectly between the human, demon, and beastfolk regions, it's become a natural place for trade and politics. As for why no one's tried to invade us? That's where people argue. Some think someone important lives here in secret, protecting us with their influence. But me? I think it's simpler. Everyone who visits is amazed at how peaceful it is here. They fall in love with it, and in the end… they choose to leave us alone. Some even stay to watch over us." She smiled like the whole world was sunshine.
Lucian stared at her blankly for a moment like she was an idiot. "Lucian," he said, offering his hand.
"My name's Bell!" She shook it firmly. "Say, Lucian, you look strong and capable. Do you think you could help me with something?"
Lucian glanced back up the hill toward Layla's house and figured he shouldn't return yet. "Sure. I suppose I have time."
"Great! Come with me!" Bell grinned, slipping her arm through his and pressing it snugly against her chest as she led him toward a farm.
"He's down the hill with Bell. She'll keep him occupied for a while," Layla said, stepping away from the window.
"Bell?" Amira asked, annoyance curling her voice.
"Yeah, the cow lady with the big knockers. She's nice, but boy does she like to yap." Layla chuckled.
"That's wonderful," Amira said through clenched teeth, forcing a smile while her nails dug into her arms.
"Uh-huh… anyway." Layla smirked at Amira's jealous face. "What actually happened that brought you all the way here? And who is that guy, what is he to you?"
Amira sighed, her anger escaping with her breath. She told the whole story, from the days before meeting Lucian to the attack in the woods before they arrived. "Somehow, the demon hunters found me. I don't know how, but they did. So I burned the house down and threw their bodies in with it. I had to leave anyway."
"Sounds to me like Lucian was the one who told them. The timing's too perfect, the day you meet him, hunters show up at your door, and then he runs back to you right after? Way too much of a coincidence."
"It wasn't him!" Amira snapped, her hand slamming against the table.
Her voice rasped, low and dangerous. "If he wanted me dead, he had plenty of chances. Not once did he give me the thought that he would."
Layla raised a brow. "Well, what's the deal then? You seem to care more about his opinion than anyone from your past. Do you… like him?"
"N-no! It's not like that!" Heat rushed up Amira's neck. "He's just fun to tease. Keeping him around is… interesting!" she insisted, desperately trying to cover her feelings.
Layla's grin spread wickedly. "You do, don't you?" She leaned close, their noses almost touching.
Amira's face was crimson. She gulped, realizing it was too late to hide.
Layla burst out laughing, falling back and kicking her feet. "Oh my! Lady Amira Selvaron, daughter of the Moon Sovereign Demon King, has fallen for a human!"
She rolled across the floor, holding her stomach. "Haaaah! This is too good!"
Amira stared at her lap, gripping her pant legs, face burning.
"Please, tell me what it was that made you fall for him," Layla said between cackles. "Considering you denied so many noble sons, and even the next Demon King, that clown. Which, by the way, is the reason we're out here in the first place!" She wiped her tears, trying to calm down. "Oh, this better be good."
"He…" Amira clenched her fists. "He said he liked my hair."
Layla collapsed again, laughing so hard she wheezed. "He likes her hair, everyone! Oh gods!"
Amiras face burned hotter.
Layla finally dragged herself upright, grinning ear to ear. "Oh, Ami. What are we gonna do with you?"
Her tone shifted, more serious. "How do you think he's going to react when he finds out who you are? Whose daughter you are? And…" she leaned in closer, lowering her voice, "what you like to do in your free time, Moon Witch."
"Shut up!" Amira snapped, cold and sharp. "You know I hate being called that."
Layla waved it off. "Can you imagine how he'll react? I wonder what he'll think of your hair then." She chuckled darkly.
Amira's expression softened with sorrow. "It won't matter. He's leaving after this."
Layla stopped laughing and tapped a finger on the table, leaning in, a strand of blonde hair falling loose from behind her ear as she shifted. "You could always ask him to stay," she said gently.
Amira said nothing, staring down at her lap.
"Well, in any case, your old family farm's just as you left it. Needs a few repairs, but nothing major. I kept it up in case you ever decided to return—"
"Thank you, Layla. You've always been like a big sister to me. That means more than you know." Amira's voice was soft, almost breaking.
Layla, clearly uncomfortable with sentiment, rubbed the back of her neck and slid a key across the table. "Yeah, well… whatever. Here's the key." A faint blush touched her cheeks.
She cleared her throat loudly. "So! Let's go find that hunk of meat and get you two settled for the night!"